Why Does Attending A Major Need To Be Life Threatening?
The confirmation of Quail Hollow as 2017 PGA Championship host came today with no mention of the potential for the kind of hot and humid weather that scorched the club's greens this summer and which will lead to a green resurfacing project.
Next summer the PGA visits Atlanta in August, about the last place any sane individual wants to be and where they are also reportedly having issues with new greens in the extreme heat. This, just after leaving Whistling Straits where the media opted not to take a harder look at the number of injuries once again caused by the Strait's steep faux dunes. They did, however, note the dragonfly-sized mosquitoes.
And then there's Chambers Bay, recent host to the U.S. Amateur, where heat was not an issue but where several injuries occurred despite attendance for the week that might match one early weekday of the 2015 Open, unless the USGA does the right thing and limits galleries to Merion-sized numbers (right!).
Several stories looked at Chambers and noted the likely issues with injury in 2015 being worse because gallery mobility was worse than expected and due to the likely morning drizzle turning the faux dunes into water slides.
Although the weather for the tournament was generally pleasant and often spectacular, the notion of a steady drizzle – an obvious possibility during the last week in June, when the U.S. Open is held – presents spectator-control problems. More than a few fans in the crowds estimated at 5,000 lost their balance groping for a dunes-level vantage point at Chambers Bay, and that was during dry conditions.
When I try to imagine the typical single-day attendance swelled by another 60,000 at the U.S. Open, I envision something like the golf equivalent of the Woodstock Festival.
More eye-opening were the comments from Chambers super David Wienecke who seemed to be the only official willing to acknowledge the problem.
If Chambers Bay officials have learned anything from this week’s event, it’s that fan movement on the dunes will have to be addressed before the 2015 U.S. Open, course superintendent David Wienecke said.
“It is a real concern,” Wienecke said.
There are about 90 acres of dunes at Chambers Bay and they are one of the reasons the course was so appealing to the United States Golf Association. The dunes and the course’s wide-open design will give the USGA the potential to draw record crowds in 2015.
However, the wispy fescue growing on the dunes has proven to be slippery in dry weather. Wienecke called the slopes of the dunes “ice-like.”
The problem is not a new one. When Chambers Bay first opened, recreational golfers were also slipping on the dry fescue.
“It’s tragic that some people have hurt themselves,” Wienecke said.
It is tragic but as the story noted, the USGA covered their rears with a ticket message.
He also reminds fans that the back of their tickets state that they “are entering the event at their own risk.”
Now I understand that heat and humidity have been as much a part of the PGA as surprise winners on mediocre tracks. And the Open Championship surely deals with its fair share of dunes-driven injuries each year. But you'd also like to think that in the 21st Century we could take more majors to places where fans are not entering the event "at their own risk."
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 08:06 PM
Reader Comments (34)
Do we know for a fact that the media didn't take a hard look? Maybe they did and didn't find a story worth reporting.
People attend every sporting event "at their own risk". People have been killed by flying debris at Nascar, hockey pucks, and lightening. And we don't even need to discuss soccer. People are hit by bats and foul balls all the time. We've witnessed NBA players go into the stands and pick fights with fans. We've watched countless videos of football players running over coaches, cheerleaders and cameramen.
This is a non-issue in course selection. If it is such a huge issue, I assume AAC will be roundly lauded because it's a very bland course in every sense - not much of an opportunity to injure yourself there. There are going to be few courses that are spectator friendly. Augusta is notorious for the slips on the steep terrain. Maybe the Masters should seek a new home.
If you're old, have a physical disability that prevents you from sure footing or, apparently, a golf journalist, don't attend golf tournaments. If the heat doesn't get you, the bus rides or boredom will.
By law no one can sue anyone else for an accident. So slipping on fescue would be reason to have treatment like plaster for the broken leg and physiotherapy or whatever paid for by the ACC.
This applies to everyone including tourists and criminals.
If the word "need" is going to be used in the context of a Major, there is no "need" for spectators to attend who are not up to the rigours of a day out on the margins of a decent golf course - especially if they are inadequately equipped or in bad physical shape.
When you look at the logical conclusion of the post and its tenor I am surprised, and a little disappointed, to see it appearing on this blog of all blogs.
People fall, get hurt, whatever on the flattest surfaces possible...in broad daylight. It happens. NO facility can prevent some accidents. I'm surprised by this post...slow news day? Few golf architects can rout and design to eliminate all accidents. People need to take personal responsibility. If a course has some rugged features, plan accordingly. Were good footear with hiking quality traction. If ya ain't nimble or fit...stay home!
I did throw-up later in my hotel room back in Seattle after having two cheeseburgers from DIck's.
On Atlanta, Geoff is making a humanitarian comment about this scheduling--they are seeing dollar signs in a big city tournament during a part of the year when you know that will cause serious health issues for thousands of people. Why not go to that market in a month when those same people can avoid those health issues?
I will repeat an earlier statement: Golf is an outdoor sport, elements are part of the equation and heat is an element just like wind and rain.
Maybe journos are just clumsy and were too embarrassed to write about it...
I'm curious - what is a "serious" injury?
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20100901_Tenacity_of_summer_s_heat_blisters_the_record.html
I was thinking Amink later in the decade for the PGA.
Man, has this country gone unbelievably soft.
People....it' called Summer.....and we play golf and do all sorts of things outside all during the Summer......and last I checked, we don't have thousands of people being seriously injured by the onset of Summer.
Somehow, some way, I have managed to eke out an existence here in NC this year. All of this, despite the millions of casualties dying all around me, the scorching heat equal to the burning energy of a thousand suns, the locusts, frogs falling from the sky, cats and dogs sleeping together, and a possible hurricane set to wipe the Outer Banks off the map and into history.
C'mon folks. The sun rises in the morning, there's traffic on the roads at the beginning and end of the work day, and it's hotter in the summer than in the winter.
I agree that this must be a slow news day if this is the cause du jour. I can't imagine a sports organization removing any Southern course from consideration because Summer occurs each year.
So, is Rees Jones working on a new Open course that is in a bio-dome yet?
People were born and died at Woodstock. If either of those happen at Chambers Bay it might be a story.
Take Geoff to The Varsity, get him a large tea with his lunch and that will set him straight. For dinner, any good chicken-and-waffles places near AAC? :)
On the slipping issue: I played Chambers Bay in May...it's fine if you're "playing", but I tried to make a quick whiff up a dune to snap a picture and almost broke my ankle (and I'm young and in shape). I could see how that could get treacherous...but even as I was playing, especially 15, 16, and 17, I was wondering where the people would watch from - grandstands around those holes would take some serious architectural forte...
I thought WS was absolutely fantastic. The suggestion to avoid a course because it is perceived as not being spectator friendly is disappointing, to say the least.
As for the PGA in Atlanta, Can they hold more major sporting events held in a city that dosn't care about sports? I lived in Atlanta for almost two years and except for the Master's if it dosen't run on four tires it aint Im-Poor-Tant!
The Braves draw a good crowd too.
The Atlanta is a poor sports town mantra is unwarranted. Nearly everyone here is from somewhere else, so our loyalties couldn't be more divided. But college football rules here.
perhaps that will reinvigorate our true spartan nature as americans and reverse the emasculating tide of muslim socialism that causes our journalists to worry about such trifles as the safety of spectators.
I understand common sense, and the risks of any activity, but it happened again last month, and the promoters owe it to the people who pay to go, to have improved the 'off linits areas, perhaps had hand rails and designated walking paths, etc.... common sense man, people went to see golf, not to be in traction..
As to the heat factor: well I cannot do it.
I live in Texas, and used to LOVE the heat, but after an illness years ago, it does not love me, and it can take several days for me to recover from just a few minutes too long in the heat.
So I just don't go out in it.
the real bummer is 2 of the tournaments i used to play I cannot, as they are in July and August
To all those in the NE , let me assure you that 103 is WAYYY hotter than 95, and the time it takes from being 'hot' to having a heat stroke is very short, and often comes with only a minimum warning.
I don't think lving is being wimpy. All you macho guys can print something really 'cool' on your tombstone.
"Man enough to die watching golf, XXX was no wuss"
Use it, no charge.
play well, stay cool.
digsouth.
Joe Jemsek, That simply is not true. And as far as the PGA goes, while I might agree that AAC is not an exciting venue, I am certain that the galleries will be huge and it will be considered a success no matter how hot it is.
And while I agree it's hot as hell in Atlanta and Charlotte in August, I don't recall the same outrage when Southern Hills has hosted majors in the summer. I break a sweat just hearing the word Tulsa. And Venturi could barely handle the heat way up north in DC in his US Open victory. And Charleston, SC is one of the most miserably hot places on earth, so if the wind aint blowing at Kiawah, that'll be rough too when the PGA goes there. Monty was dumb enough to wear black in the heat at Oakmont in that US Open playoff way up yonder in Pittsburgh.
The dunes aren't nearly as outlandish as WS/CB, but they're going to be just as tough to walk, given the very tight out-and-back figure 8. More importantly, there are what, two trees anywhere on the course? Shady Charlotte and even Atlanta will seem cool by comparison.
And speaking of life-threatening, that's the heart of hurricane season, by the way. On a course at the very tip of a barrier island with one road in and out.
Unlike Atlanta or Charlotte, there's not a plethora of Fortune 100 corporate $$$ in the Charleston region. Just Dye's genius, the Ryder Cup history, and one of the most breathtaking spots on the planet. So no big money, nor mind-numbingly mediocre - what was the PGA thinking, anyway??
In all seriousness, I'm a fan of Ocean - I can't wait to see Mad Dye's frankenstein-like creation screw with the pros if there's a nice, strong wind. (Expect Mr. It's All There In Front of You to be among the chief whiners, especially if his driving is anything like it is now - gawd, he'd be pulling a Bagger Vance and hitting recovery shots from out in the tide!) But given the topic at hand, that particular major should be at the very top of your list.
The DJ dustup pretty much trumped any other stories out of WS, with exception to the kazillion trash (and spectator) filled bunkers.
Can't say as to the numbers of injured in 2010, but there were stories about injuries after the VJ win a few yeas back. I'm too lazy to attempt a link, but I do remember reading 2 stories: I might had passed them over if not for my friend up there having commented to me on the phone about it.
ds
I can manage the heat, bugs, terrain and you can pretty much see hurricanes coming a week.